State owes a duty to provide free medical treatment to acid attack victims: HC

Delhi High Court has said that the state owes a duty to provide free medical treatment to acid attack victims. Justice Manmohan made the observation while directing the Delhi government to bear the cost of treatment of a woman, a victim of an acid attack 10 years ago, who was paid only three lakh rupees as compensation. The court also said that the ceiling of seven lakh rupees given under the 'Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme' to acid attack victims for medical treatment may be unreasonable in some cases. The court said that If more than seven lakh Rupees is spent on treatment of an acid attack victim,



the respondents (Delhi government) cannot take the stand that they would not spend more than the ceiling amount.

The court order came on a plea filed by the victim, who suffered the attack in February 2006. The victim in her plea sought compensation of at least 50 lakh rupees as well as reimbursement of the medical expenses incurred by her till now. She urged the court to provide a government job to her or a family member.